As we move into September, I am thrilled to share incredible news that reflects the hard work, resilience, and dedication of our students, teachers, staff, and families. 

From strong accountability results to prestigious recognition for Roanoke Rapids Early College, this week’s update is filled with reasons to celebrate.

School Performance Grades Show Remarkable Growth

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction recently released school performance grades for the 2024–25 school year, and I am proud to say that our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District has much to celebrate.

Our districtwide proficiency composite rose from 45 percent in 2023–24 to 50 percent in 2024–25, showing steady improvement across all grade levels and subject areas. Even more importantly, two of our schools — Belmont Elementary and Chaloner Middle — exited low-performing status while also moving up an entire letter grade.

Belmont Elementary School achieved a C rating and recorded proficiency gains in every grade and every subject. This is the strongest performance Belmont Elementary has achieved since the school performance grade system was created — a milestone worth celebrating.

Chaloner Middle School also moved to a C rating, leaving behind low-performing status while making impressive strides in reading and math achievement in grades 7 and 8.

Manning Elementary School continued its positive trajectory with a C rating and strong growth in grades 4 and 5 reading and math.

Roanoke Rapids High School slipped just one point into a D — a 54, the highest possible D — but saw meaningful growth in Math 1 and Math 3 while continuing to support English Learners and other subgroups. We are already implementing plans to address biology scores, which were impacted by changes in state testing.

Roanoke Rapids Early College once again earned an A rating, exceeded growth, and maintained a pass rate above 95 percent in English II.

As your superintendent, I want to pause on what this means: We were just one point away from having no low-performing schools in the entire district. That is extraordinary progress, and it shows that we are moving forward with momentum.

Last week, our Central Office leadership team and I had the privilege of visiting each of our schools to celebrate these achievements with staff and students. 

The joy and pride in our classrooms and hallways were palpable. 

The significance of Belmont and Chaloner exiting low-performing status cannot be overstated — it means these schools are being recognized for their growth and improvement, and it reflects a team effort by educators, students, and families working together.

I am so proud of every one of our schools. Together, we are living out our belief that “Together, We Succeed.”

RREC Named a National Beta School of Distinction

In addition to their A rating, Roanoke Rapids Early College has earned another prestigious honor: they are a 2024–25 National Beta School of Distinction.

This award recognizes schools that grow their Beta Club membership by at least 10 percent and demonstrate a strong commitment to academic achievement, character, leadership, and service. 

Out of more than 14,000 Beta Clubs nationwide, only 2,946 received this distinction this year.

As Bobby Hart, CEO of National Beta, wrote in his congratulatory letter: “This national award speaks highly of your commitment to academic excellence and illustrates your dedication to preparing students for their future.”

We will soon receive a special banner to display on campus, a visible reminder of our outstanding commitment to excellence. We are proud of our staff and students for fostering leadership and service through this program.

This Week in Yellow Jacket Sports

Our Yellow Jacket athletes are hard at work, and while the RRHS football team had a bye week, other teams are competing with energy and pride. Here is what is on the calendar for this week:

Tuesday, September 9

Tennis at HOME vs. Louisburg – 3:30 PM

Soccer at HOME vs. Northern Nash – 6:30 PM

Wednesday, September 10

Golf at The River Golf Club – 2:00 PM

Cross Country at Owens Park (Louisburg) – 5:00 PM

Volleyball at HOME vs. Halifax Academy – 4:00 PM

Thursday, September 11

Volleyball at Wake Prep – 5:00 PM

Soccer at HOME vs. South Granville – 6:30 PM

Friday, September 12

Football at HOME vs. Pasquotank County – 7:00 PM

Please remember to arrive early, as there will be a security checkpoint at the entrance.

Come out and support our athletes — they thrive on the encouragement of our Yellow Jacket community.

Upcoming Board Committee Meetings

Finally, a reminder that our Board Committee Meetings are scheduled for Tuesday evening, September 9. Meetings will be held in the Board Room and the First Floor Central Office Conference Room:

6:00 PM – Curriculum Committee and Facilities & Safety Committee

7:00 PM – Policy Committee and Finance & Personnel Committee

As always, these meetings are open to the public, and we welcome community participation.

Closing Thoughts

This week’s updates remind us of the progress we have made and the bright future ahead. From academic gains that move schools out of low-performing status, to national recognition for our Early College, to the energy of our athletes and Board work, our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District is moving forward with confidence and purpose.

I am deeply proud of our students, our staff, and our families. Each step forward brings us closer to achieving our Vision 2035 goals and ensuring that every child in our district has the opportunity to thrive.

Together, we are proving that the best is yet to come for RRGSD.